Fall 2010 Accessory Trends

I recently gave a friend a birthday card depicting two women - one dowdy, the other, stylish. The drab woman remarks, "Dr. Oz said to live longer you should exercise and eat plenty of healthy foods." Looking surprised and a tad disappointed, the fashionable woman replies, "I thought he said accessorize and wear plenty of high-heeled shoes.'"

Despite her faulty hearing, the fashionista may have gotten it right. Wearing stylish accessories adds zing, if not years, to your life.

As with all aspects of fashion, however, accessories change with the seasons. The leather backpack you wore a few years ago will make you look more like a co-ed wannabe than a chic woman stepping off of the pages of Harpers Bazaar.

To avoid looking like a refugee from the past, here are some must-have accessories for fall 2010.

Accessories trend fall 2010: Think camel-the color, not the cigarette

Forget burkas; when it comes to style influences from the middle east, camels are in. Specifically, camel-colored fashion items are hot this fall, and an easy way to add camel to your wardrobe is to buy a camel-colored purse, whether it's a fringed, suede hobo or rich leather handbag.

Accessories trend fall 2010: Big, bold watches

No more squinting to read the time; that is, if you're still one of those relics who even wears a watch. Watch bands and watch faces are big, bold and colorful this fall, and if you don't give a hoot about the time, think of these watches as jewels, not tools. A shiny, stainless steel cuff watch is as much a bracelet as a timepiece. For a bold color statement, a shocking pink watch won't leave you guessing what time it is.

Accessories trend fall 2010: Velvet, the "it" fabric

Whether it's a velvet scarf trimmed with beads or edged with fur, opulent velvet combines the comfort of hot cocoa with the panache of an espresso. Velvet shawls are also popular this year, such as an elegant, burnt velvet shawl with metallic leaves -- the perfect fall motif.

Accessories trend fall 2010: Retro handbags

Thanks to the 60s-era hit TV show Mad Men, retro purses are must-have accessories this fall. These pert, snappy bags will help you channel your inner Jackie O, or even Betty Draper. If you can't stuff all your stuff into a little retro purse, buy one for your next night on the town -- and don't forget to order a Marilyn Monroe cocktail.

Sources:

Sarah Maslin Nir, "My Must-Have Looks for This Fall," NYTimes.com.